The Lynx Word (Family Edition)

October:

October 21:

6th Grade Expectations Assembly: 8:24am -9:09am

8th Grade Expectations Assembly: 10:06-10:51am

October 22:

Pink Out! Wear all pink (No pajamas or hats)

7th Grade Field Trip: Youth to Career Day

7th Grade Expectations Assembly: 1:30-2:15pm

Bond 2024 Zoom Webinar: 6pm https://tinyurl.com/yrs7z4mw

October 23:

STAAR RLA Interim Testing and ECR

Bond 2024 Zoom Webinar Spanish: 12pm https://tinyurl.com/yrs7z4mw

October 24: STAAR Math Interim Testing

October 25:

Lynx PRIDE Breakfast for Students of the Month 7:00am-8:00am

A, AB Honor Roll Celebration: 8:30am Lucas Auditorium

Pink Out Lynn Lucas: Wear all pink (No pajamas or hats)

Halloween Dance Party 3:05 - 5:00

October 28-November 1st: Above the Influence Spirit Week!

October 30:

Student Pumpkins for Pumpkin Decorating Contest are DUE! You can also bring them to Trunk or Treat!

Lynn Lucas Trunk Or Treat 5:30-6:30

All Athletics Schedules are linked here and below

November:

November 11: Veteran's Day Celebration 9:00 -10:15 -- Please RSVP HERE!

If you would be interested in volunteering at Lynn Lucas for ANYTHING! It can be all day, in the morning at car rider line, in the PM at car rider line, in the office laminating/cutting, organizing the supply closet, doing some bulletin boards, monitoring hallways or restrooms, we would LOVE the support! Just complete this simple volunteer application!

*If you are concerned you won't pass the background check, email me your concerns. We have others in your boat, and we can talk through those concerns!

VOLUNTEER APPLICATION

We will have STAAR Interim Testing on Wednesday, October 23rd (Reading) and Thursday, October 24th (Math).

Students should scan the QR code posted at the entrance and cafeteria to find their testing rooms. If you don’t have a phone, administrators will assist you. This process is the same as what we used during MAP testing.

Note: Testing rooms will differ each day, so be sure to scan the code both days.

An adjusted bell schedule will be in place. Please see below for details.

Bell Schedule October 23rd

Interim Testing 7:30 - 11:43

6th period 11:48-1:23

A Lunch - 6th 11:48-12:18

B Lunch - 7th 12:21-12:51

C Lunch - 8th 12:53-1:23

1st period 1:28 - 1:49

2nd Period 1:54 - 2:15

3rd Period 2:20 - 2:41

4th Period 2:46 - 3:05

October 24th Bell Schedule

Interim Testing 7:30 - 11:43

6th Period 11:48-1:23

A Lunch - 6th 11:48-12:18

B Lunch - 7th 12:21-12:51

C Lunch - 8th 12:53-1:23

4th Period 1:28 - 1:49

5th Period 1:54 - 2:15

7th Period 2:20 - 2:41

8th Period 2:46 - 3:05

Please understand that this bell schedule is our plan, but it is subject to change as needed. Please follow the directions given to you by the teacher in your testing room.

If you have any questions about this week's testing, please contact Mrs. Owens at kowens@willisisd.org

Did you know? Early voting starts this week!

During the early voting period, any qualified Montgomery County registered voter may vote at any one of the Montgomery County early voting locations. On election day, voters must go to the location assigned by their precinct number.

Early Voting Dates & Times:
Mon, Oct. 21 - Fri, Oct. 25: 8 AM - 5 PM
Sat, Oct. 26: 7 AM - 7 PM
Sun, Oct. 27: 11 AM - 5 PM
Mon, Oct. 28 - Fri, Nov. 1: 7 AM - 7 PM

Willis ISD has called for a November 5 bond election. If voters approve all three propositions on the ballot, the potential increase is 1 cent to the I&S tax rate.

Proposition A: Student Activity Center
The Student Activity Center is an addition to the master-planned high school complex. The facility is a multi-purpose space designed to provide another spot for students to learn or practice their craft or sport during the school day. The availability of an indoor facility, such as a student activity center, also provides a place for activities to continue despite adverse outdoor weather conditions. It also provides a place for art shows, special events or other fine arts activities.

Proposition B: Athletic Complex & Stadium with Community Room

An Athletic Complex and Stadium is part of the district's roadmap to accommodating growth, as it will be designed to serve not only Willis High School, but two additional high schools. Building the facility now ensures the district is ready when additional high schools are built. Berton A. Yates Stadium was built in 1974 when the high school had only 399 students. Today, Willis High School has 2,790 students. Yates Stadium has a home capacity of 2,200 and a visitor capacity of 1,300. As a 6A district playing Conroe schools, the current stadium needs more seating and parking capacity to accommodate 6A crowds. It is the district’s only stadium, is undersized, and it is common for it to reach or exceed code-required capacity, limiting the number of community members who can attend games. Although additional seating could be added to Yates, parking is already limited, and building codes will not allow for an expansion to the facility with no expansion in parking capacity.

Proposition C: Aquatic Center

Willis ISD has had a swim team for the past 30 years. However, due to the unavailability of a dedicated space to practice swimming and diving, our students are forced to either drive themselves to practice as early as 5:30 am or when drivers are available, the district provides a bus, which costs the district up to $13,000 annually in fuel expenses. Currently, the swim team practices mostly at the old YMCA facility, which is now owned by the City of Conroe. Unfortunately, this pool is an all-outdoor pool that is in dire need of major renovations. The City can either decide to renovate the pool or shut it down completely. Without a pool to practice in, we may be forced to disband our swim team or pay even more money to rent a pool at Conroe ISD's natatorium.

Interested in learning more? Visit our bond website at www.willisisd.org/bond2024 or join us for our upcoming webinars! If you missed the community or elementary sessions, please join us for either of the remaining two.

Bond 2024 Zoom Webinar Dates:

Tuesday, October 22 - 6 PM (Secondary)

Wednesday, October 23 - 12 PM (Spanish Only)

Log into the Zoom webinars here: https://tinyurl.com/yrs7z4mw

We would like all of our 7th graders to go with us to the Youth to Career Fair at the Lone Star Convention Center on Tuesday, October 22nd. It is being hosted by local business and community members to promote opportunities for future employment for our students. For your student to attend, we must have a permission slip. Below is a copy of the permission slip that can be printed out and sent in with your student on Monday or you can type in the fillable boxes and email to Mrs. Soose at asoose@willisisd.org. Any questions may also be emailed to Mrs. Soose.

Youth to Career Fair Permission Slip

TELPAS Reports will be distributed in 7th and 8th grade RLA classes. These reports are in a sealed envelope and are being sent home with your student.

If your student is in 6th grade, they will not receive a report. If your student did not take the TELPAS test, they will not receive a report.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Katelyn Owens.

If you have a group who would like to set up a booth or trunk please contact Mrs. Cheatham (acheatham@willisisd.org) to reserve a space! Businesses, churches, and even families are welcome to set up a trunk. We are also accepting candy donations for staff to pass out at the event. Bring your families and WISD students of all ages! We would love to celebrate with our community!

Capture a memorable moment at one of our events? Share your photos with us! We’ll review submissions and may feature them on our official Facebook page!

https://bit.ly/LLMSPics

Click the image or scan the QR code to buy a yearbook!

OR CLICK HERE!

**Is your student absent?**

Please fill out this form: Absence Form: https://forms.willisisd.org/240845025509051

You can also upload doctor’s notes directly through the form!

We know that you may need some assistance and require an admin to call you back. If you come to the front, and we cannot meet with you, please complete this form:

https://forms.gle/iWvJZXrQVBQLgFFJ8

If your situation has not been addressed with the teacher, we may direct the teacher to call you first.

All 7th grade students are invited to attend the Youth to Career Fair hosted at the Lonestar Convention Center on October 22nd. Your 7th grader should be bringing home a permission slip this week and must return it signed by 10/9 to the grade level office, without a signed permission slip they will not be able to attend. Please click HERE for a copy of the permission slip.

Please RSVP HERE!

Please consider joining our PTO! Our PTO does so much for our campus, and we couldn't do this without our amazing parents and community members!

With our PTO, you'll have opportunities to volunteer, donate, or have a voice in PTO events! You can volunteer as much as you want to or are able!

To contact our PTO, please email them at llmpto@willisisd.org

Grades 6th A-K, 8th All: Contact Mrs. Jordan: sjordan@willisisd.org

Grades 6th L-Z, 7th All: Contact Mrs. Cheatham: acheatham@willisisd.org

To qualify for Christmas Assistance, you must have your Free/Reduced Lunch Application completed and accepted for this school year. We only choose who receives assistance if you are on that list. So whether or not your student buys lunch, if you need assistance, please complete that application.

Interested in being a Watch DOGS? Already did the volunteer application and waiting to hear back? Email me at kmoore@willisisd.org so I can check on it!

All athletes must have a completed/updated RANK ONE Form each school year with their physical. Click HERE to visit the link to your Rank One Parent Portal.

The Willis ISD webpage has been updated. Therefore the handbook link did not work. The new link is here: https://bit.ly/wisdstudenthandbook

Updated stadium policies are HERE. (https://willisisdorg.finalsite.com/departments/athletics)

Tickets will be sold online on the app “Hometown Fan.” You can download the app on your mobile device or visit https://www.hometownticketing.com/resources/hometown-fan-app/. The stadium gates will open 60 minutes prior to game time. (i.e. 7 pm game gates open at 6 pm). Please note: Spectators leaving the stadium will not be allowed to re-enter without paying for re-entry. Only reserved seat tickets are guaranteed seating in a specific area. A general admission ticket does not guarantee a seat on your team’s side. The district is unable to process refunds. Citizens 65 years and older may obtain a free pass for games by visiting Willis High School in advance. All employees must purchase tickets to attend a game. Varsity game tickets are $8 for adults and students.

Varsity tickets: 2,000 tickets will be available for purchase online. Ticket prices are $8 each for adults and students. If tickets sell out, there will not be any additional tickets for sale at the gate. If tickets are available to sell at the gate, you may pay with cash, debit or credit. Gates open one hour prior to start of game.

We will be using Minga this year to help track positive praise and guidance/behaviors for your student. In addition, it also tracks tardies, dress code, and telecommunication violations. More information will be coming on how parents can connect with Minga to view their student's data from all staff.

Students have access to Minga on Clever at school, but they can also download the app on their cell phones. They use their school google login to connect with their account. Any questions about Minga can be directed to Mrs. Soose at asoose@willisisd.org.

On Campus Medication

Parents the nurses clinic is open for medication drop offs. Please make sure that the 24-25 MEDICATION FORM is completed and turned in at the time of drop off.

Lice

Need assistance with Lice, please contact Nurse Johnson for more information.

Mission: At Lynn Lucas, we will ensure that all students will learn at high levels.

Vision: Witness Greatness in EVERY student and staff member EVERY day.

CORE VALUES:

We are Lynx PRIDE:

P - Productive

R – Resilient

I – Innovative

D – Dedicated

E –Empathetic

In order to achieve our shared vision, we will commit to the following:

• Support all students, staff, and parents

• Maintain a positive school climate and provide outstanding customer service

• Fulfill our professional responsibilities

• Cultivate and maintain a Growth Mindset

• Utilize reflective practice and accept constructive feedback

• Be collectively responsible for all students’ social-emotional and academic growth

• Hold each other accountable to ensure teacher and team growth.

• Utilize student reflection and goal setting to grow student self-efficacy.

• Intentionally share and utilize a variety of research-based instructional strategies